Sports Highlights Week 4 2026

Year 3 have made a fantastic start to the hockey season, proudly representing The Beacon for the very first time. Many of the boys and girls only picked up a hockey stick three weeks ago, so it has been wonderful to see how much they have already developed.

Last week, both teams faced a strong Gayhurst side. The U8As improved throughout their match, combining impressive runs with the ball and confident defensive play to secure a 2–0 win. The U8Bs also had the challenge of playing Gayhurst’s U8As. They embraced their first fixture with excitement and determination, building their understanding of the game as they played.

This week, both teams took on Chesham Prep. The U8As put their work on positioning and using the width of the pitch into practice, producing some excellent attacking hockey. Harrison R and River A scored six goals between them, while Harrison A made strong defensive interventions and linked effectively with the forwards. Across the team, more powerful passes and shots showed how much the players have progressed.

The U8Bs also celebrated a win, with Kavyaan bringing great energy to the match and Sena S making a speedy run to score a late goal. Every player contributed with enthusiasm, and it was particularly pleasing to see the team becoming more assured on the pitch.

Well done to all for their teamwork and effort. A wonderful beginning to their hockey journey at The Beacon!

Reported by Mrs Palmer-Reid

The U8A had their first away fixture of the term at Habs, and they built on an excellent start to their rugby season.

From the opening whistle, the team showed an impressive understanding of the rules and a real confidence in possession. For so early in the term, the quality of passing, support play and decision-making was particularly pleasing to see. Wolfie was electric throughout, using his outstanding pace to great effect and crossing the line six times. His ability to spot space and accelerate through it proved a constant threat to the Habs defence.

The whole team contributed with some excellent attacking rugby, with the defensive work also improving throughout the game. It was a thoroughly entertaining contest, with the boys showing great enthusiasm, teamwork and determination from start to finish.

The team eventually came away with a well-earned 8 – 6 victory. A fantastic first away fixture and plenty of encouraging signs for the term ahead!

Team: Wolfie C, Elliott O, Elliot N, Kody D, Axe T, Rafa M, Dylan S, Areiss R

Reported by Mr Sutcliffe

On Wednesday 30th September, the Colts B team travelled to Caldicott for an afternoon of rugby, competing against Chesham Prep, Caldicott and Bedford School. The team produced an excellent display throughout the afternoon, winning all three of their matches and showing great skill, determination and teamwork.

Our opening fixture was against Chesham Prep, where we started the afternoon strongly with a 3–0 victory. Freddie F, Teddy N and William D all crossed the try line, with the players showing plenty of attacking intent and working hard for one another.

The second game was against our hosts, Caldicott. Team Beacon really found their rhythm in this match, running out convincing 7–1 winners. Peter C and William D both scored once, Luca H added two tries, and Trystan T completed an impressive hat-trick. Our players moved the ball well and created plenty of opportunities, while continuing to work hard defensively.

Our final fixture was against Bedford School, and the Colts B team finished the afternoon in style with a 6–0 victory. William D, Rhys J, Ronan W and Freddie F all scored, while our captain for the day, Jack W, contributed two tries.

Across the three 14-minute matches, Team Beacon scored an impressive 14 tries, but perhaps the most pleasing aspect was that those tries were shared among nine different players. This was a fantastic example of a true squad effort, with everyone contributing to the team’s success.

While the attacking rugby was excellent, the defence was arguably the highlight of the afternoon. To concede just one try across three matches was an outstanding achievement and demonstrated the players’ commitment, organisation and determination without the ball.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and an excellent team performance from the Colts B squad. Well done, team!

Squad: Jack W (c), William D, Freddie F, Trystan T, Ronan W, Luca H, William G, Rhys J, Teddy N, Peter C

Reported by Mr Powell

The Beacon U10s enjoyed another excellent afternoon of rugby at the UCS festival. Having made such an encouraging start to the season, the team continued to show great progress, confidence and teamwork throughout the afternoon.

Beacon began strongly in the group stages, beating St Benedict’s 4–2 before overcoming Belmont 5–3 to finish top of the group and secure a place in the final.

The final against UCS was a closely fought encounter, with both teams competing hard throughout. Despite a determined effort from our players, Beacon narrowly missed out, losing 3–1.

It was another very positive afternoon for the team, with Team Beacon continuing to develop their skills, game awareness and teamwork. They worked hard for one another, showed great enthusiasm and thoroughly enjoyed their rugby. There is plenty of progress to build on as the season continues.

A fantastic effort from the whole team!

Reported by Mr Barnett

The Second Years Return to Hogwarts!

Beacon U9A Rugby – First Match of the Season

After a long summer away, the Hogwarts Express finally arrived back at The Beacon and our second-year wizards were ready for their first rugby adventure of the new season. There was just one small problem…

The grounds had become so hard that the Ministry of Magic had decided that tackling was temporarily forbidden! The players have spent the first few weeks learning all sorts of tackling spells, but unfortunately those spells had to remain firmly locked away for another week. Instead, it was time to dust off all the magic they had learned during their first year at Hogwarts and put it into practice with touch rugby. And put it into practice they certainly did!

Leading the magic was Seb B – Sebastianus Directus, who was absolutely outstanding in attack. Seb ran some wonderfully direct lines, constantly put the defence under pressure and showed fantastic awareness when deciding when to pass. His offloading was particularly impressive, treating the rugby ball with the care and attention of someone carrying a very precious baby dragon!

Although, as Professor Robinson keeps reminding the team, “I care more about the ball than I do about you!” They are beginning to realise that he might actually mean it.

Joining the Hogwarts second years for the first time was Henry D – Henryus Speedicus. Henry is our new first-year wizard, having only just joined the school, but he certainly didn’t look like a newcomer. He showed plenty of pace, confidence and attacking ability and managed to get himself on the scoresheet. It was a very promising first appearance and a brilliant way to show why he has earned the opportunity to start in a very strong A team.

Albie F – Albius Tenacius – must have been slightly disappointed that his favourite spell, Tacklingus Ferocitus, was banned for the afternoon! Anyone who has watched Albie train will know just how tenacious he is in defence. Instead, he put his energy into tagging and was excellent, showing the same determination and enthusiasm that he brings to tackling.

Then we had Henry F – Henryus Lineus, who appeared to be running lines from somewhere between Hogwarts and heaven! Henry’s understanding of where and when to run was excellent, and he combined brilliantly with Seb. The two seemed to have developed their own secret passing spell, with Henry repeatedly appearing in exactly the right place. His awareness and understanding of space bode extremely well for the season ahead.

Hector M – Hectorus Tryius – seemed to have discovered a particularly powerful scoring spell. Hector was on the end of some fantastic team moves and finished them off with real confidence, crossing the line three times! When the ball found Hector, the opposition were clearly hoping someone had remembered the counter-spell.

And then came the twins – Josh W and Alex W, or Joshus and Alexus Telepathicus! There are some magical abilities that simply cannot be taught in a classroom, and twin telepathy appears to be one of them. The pair combined brilliantly throughout the afternoon, seeming to know exactly what the other was going to do before they had even done it. Passes were made without looking. Runs were timed perfectly. One would make the break and the other would magically appear in support. Either that, or they have been secretly practising Legilimens at home! Whatever the explanation, it was fantastic to watch.

The players produced some outstanding rugby, with brilliant attacking lines, clever passing, excellent support play and some fantastic team tries. Considering it was their first match of the season, there was plenty to be excited about. There was, however, one rather large blot on an otherwise magical afternoon… Professor Robinson!

Unfortunately for the team, Mr Robinson had somehow been given the referee’s whistle. Rather than allowing the Hogwarts second years to perform their magic freely, he decided to referee with an almost Professor Snape-like strictness. Every little infringement was spotted. Every questionable pass was investigated. Every tiny misdemeanour was punished.

And, strangely, our players felt that the opposition were getting away with absolutely everything! There may have been some very suspicious conversations about this afterwards. But perhaps the team should look on the bright side. If they can produce rugby like this while tackling is banned and Professor Robinson is refereeing, just imagine what they might be capable of when the tackling spells are finally released!

Next week, hopefully, the ground will be ready, the tackling spells will be unlocked and Tacklingus Ferocitus can finally be unleashed. Until then, the second years have made a very impressive return to Hogwarts. The magic is clearly still there. Watch out for these wizards this season — something tells me there are plenty more spells to come!

The Beacon 12- Haberdashers 6

Reported by Mr Robinson

Thanks to the continued dry weather, U11C Rugby matches have been a little like buses this term – nothing for ages then three all at once. Pleasingly, when our afternoon at Caldicott did roll around the team performed really well.

The Beacon started on the front foot in their opening match against Chesham Prep, finishing with a 5-1 victory. Our match against the hosts started in similar fashion, scoring two tries early on – only to be pegged back soon after. Our third try looked elusive as after several phases of play we looked odds on to sore in the corner in what could have been an early contender for try of the season – only to give up possession. Caldicott raced up the pitch to score, putting them in the lead. Despite our third try, Caldicott’s superior strength at the breakdown saw them victorious.

Our final opponents, Bedford, had mirrored our results thus far and it was sure to be a close game. Indeed it was, with neither an infringement or try in the first half of the game. Sustained Beacon pressure saw us eventually score first before Bedford drew level – but a Beacon try in the final minutes was enough to secure our second well-deserved win of the afternoon. All in all, a great afternoon of Rugby – fantastic to see the team out on the pitch. We are all praying for a little more rain!

Reported by Mr Langley